India, June 9 -- After the Karnataka government notified new minimum wages for 83 types of employment late-May, with upto 60% increases in some cases, employer unions have approached the courts challenging the notification. When the Haryana government raised minimum wages in April, neighbouring Uttar Pradesh saw protest by workers in Noida; the UP government immediately raised minimum wages by 21%. It may seem like a win for the underdog, but the Foundation of Economic Development's report on minimum wages shows that such moves are actually an extension of our legacy policy approach to labour - mandate unrealistically high worker "protections" that backfire and hurt workers, especially the most vulnerable ones. This has been a historical ...